cath lab software

Things to Consider Before buying a Cath Lab Software

August 29, 2020

Technology has changed the face of interventional cardiology by introducing Cath Lab Software. The global Cath Labs market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 6.9 percent leading to global revenue of $21.88 billion by 2022.

One of the ways we can conceptualize this is by simply comparing the technology used in Cath labs 20 years ago, by that of today. With the use of powerful software like that, the management can record and save more data, get a better visualization of the patient’s medical condition, it is user-friendly, and speeds up the processing.

According to the CDC, In 2017, about 28.4 million people were diagnosed with heart diseases.

It concentrates the various aspects of the reporting and brings out a rather concise, comprehensive, and precise data. This makes work for the medical staff much easier. With the increasing pressure on the medical fraternity, easing up the work is important. A customized cath lab software can be made to fit in the requirement of the management/staff.  

It might take some more time, but will help you make a better choice for your healthcare facility. So, let’s get started with all the things that need to be considered before buying a Cath lab software:

  1. Understand your needs

This is the first step to digitalizing the operation of your cath lab. To understand the requirement of the staff, mutual discussions can be conducted with people handling the jobs currently. If there’s a software in place, can it be remodelled or integrated into the new software?

For a more diverse use, like if the facility has the provision of EP labs and neurovascular works, the bi-plane system is your best bet. Otherwise, the market offers a single plane software that is commonly used. A single plane software is flexible across verticals like angular runs, balloons, et al. 

In addition to this, the administration needs to examine the size of the detector or intensifier that is currently used. If the management is planning to bring an improved version onboard, the commonly used one is 8-9” is best suited for EP as well. For combination work, 9”x16” is preferred and a flexible option too.

  • Scalability of the software:

The key features of a powerful cath lab software are scalability and agility. It must be useful across verticals from storing complex information and providing comprehensive data to retrieving a patient’s detailed cardiology file.

It needs to be future-safe. Since the technology keeps on upgrading at a faster pace than ever, one-time cath lab software investment must last longer. The software should update automatically and the management can integrate required aspects to it as and when needed. 

  • Speed of image acquisition:

Such software is made using different technologies, now it is completely dependent on the administrative requirement, which one will suit them.

For a bi place system, the technology used is different and the detectors are present on two axes. This makes 3-D image acquisition faster which is beneficial for neurovascular and EP work. On the other hand, single plane systems take longer to process the image. This can best be clarified with the developing team, after discussing the facility’s details and needs.

  • Post-development support:

The work of the developing team mustn’t finish when the software is delivered. Deploying the same, and attending to the queries of the users is important. This needs to be clarified well in advance.

Not all the staff members are tech-savvy and even though the software could be user-friendly, doubts come up. Other than this, when the software is used, certain bugs will need fixing. Established Healthcare IT consultancy provides the necessary support to their clients for a long time.

  • Developing time for the software:

As the pandemic has hit the world, pressure on the medical fraternity has tremendously increased. Certain healthcare catch lab facilities might have a time crunch and an urgent requirement to get software for interventional cardiology onboard. This needs to be discussed beforehand and a timeline should be set in place to avoid delays.

 While sometimes delays can happen, a mutual discussion of the project details helps the cause. 

  • Budget:

Budget is one of the crucial factors and the one where the administration needs to set certain limits! Deploying software for interventional cardiology costs as per the needs of the cath lab facility. This has to be discussed mutually and that way determining the logical price point would be easier.

SoftCath Software

SoftCath provides Software for Interventional Cardiologist that eradicates process errors and improves cardiology reporting for Clinicians. The software comes with several modules that streamline Cath lab activities under a single control system, improving efficiency. The solution is being used in more than 40 countries.

Key Features

  • Transcription Cost Tracking
  • Data Bank for Cath Reports
  • Clinical Registry Report
  • Summary Of Data collected
  • Clinical Data Management

Conclusion

The extensive and crucial tasks involved Cath Lab Management call for a specialized software solution. The adoption of the Cath Lab software for interventional Cardiologists is booming due to the apparent process needs, and a long list of benefits. SoftCath Lab software is a leading contender backed by JVSGroup’s decades of R&D in healthcare IT solutions design.